BLOGS

Tag: neuroscience tattoos

D-lysergic acid diethlyamide…what a strange, wonderous, and downright amazing molecule. Having a background in biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology, I have long been fascinated by this enigmatic chemical. I initially planned on getting the regular simple stick molecular structure, and sat on that idea for close to 7 years. One night, fairly recently, a tattoo artist friend mentioned to me over lunch that the “ball and stick” model would look much better…what a simple, yet absolutely brilliant idea of which I have no earthly clue why I didn’t think of first. I had to let him tattoo me! It’s better than I ever could have imagined. The picture was taken within a few hours of completion, and there is tattoo ointment over it, making it glisten and giving the appearance of “spots” on certain atoms.

The earth and brain are the nucleus of a neuron, whose apical dendrite is a double helix. Reversing the scales reminded me of universal principles that operate across different levels of organization– like diversity is important.

Sandra writes, “My tattoo is an intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell, my favourite type of neuron. Only discovered a few years ago, it detects light without vision and communicates directly to a part of the brain (the suprachiasmatic nucleus) that helps control circadian rhythms.”

JC writes, “The broken triangle is an illustration of the Gestalt law of closure. The law of closure demonstrates how the mind creates wholes out of parts – and a world out of sensory information – by “filling in the gaps.” Although I’m no longer a professional social scientist, the law is a useful one in the realm of public policy where I’m currently employed. Personally, I use it as a reminder to stay humble, because you never know how much of the world you’re making up as you go along.”

“This neuron tattoo was done a few months ago. When I was 18, my dad passed away from Lou Gehrig’s, which is a disease of motor neurons that innervate muscles. His battle with neurodegeneration helped me decide on a career in medical research, and I am currently pursuing my PhD in Neuroscience.”–Lindsay

“I am a neuroscientist. As a graduate student, after successfully passing my qualifying exam, I celebrated by getting this tattoo. It is the hieroglyphic for the word “brain”. It is the earliest written reference to the brain dating back to the 17th century BC. I am convinced that the brain is the greatest mystery in the universe! “–Jason Trageser